Coding scheme for identifying spatial locations of events within video image data

ABSTRACT

An invention for generating a coding schema for identifying a spatial location of an event within video image data is provided. In one embodiment, there is a spatial representation tool, including a compression component configured to receive trajectory data of an event within video image data, generate a lossless compressed contour-coded blob to encode the trajectory data of the event within video image data, and generate a lossy searchable code to enable searching of a relational database based on the trajectory data of the event within the video image data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related in some aspects to the commonly owned andco-pending application entitled “Identifying Locations of Events WithinVideo Image Data,” filed Mar. 19, 2009, and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/407,499.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to video surveillance, and morespecifically to coding for spatial surveillance event searching.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large surveillance networks that are deployed on buildings, highways,trains, metro stations, etc., integrate a large number of cameras,sensors, and information. Human operators typically cannot adequatelycontrol and monitor all the cameras within a large surveillance system.As such, many prior art approaches involve object detection and trackingtechniques to identify and analyze events occurring within a camerafield of view. However, when it comes to searching through large amountsof video data in an effort to identify an event within video image data,it is difficult to obtain reliable results.

For example, consider a surveillance camera that is monitoring along-term parking lot. The parking lot attendant receives a complaintthat a car has been vandalized at some point in the past month. Theprior art requires either a manual review of tapes/files from the videocamera for the entire month, or the use of a query box drawn around theparticular parking spot with the surveillance system retrieving allmovement that occurred in the query box. The first approach is typicallyineffective because an operator or group of operators must reviewhundreds of hours of video to observe an event that may have lasted afew seconds. The second approach uses automatic video object trackingand meta-data indexing using a standard relational database to supportspatial queries. However, the drawback of this approach is that therepresentation of the meta-data is very voluminous and makes theindexing of large numbers of cameras impractical due to the heavy volumeof network traffic and the size of database tables created.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, there is a method for providing a coding scheme foridentifying a spatial location of an event within video image data. Inthis embodiment, the method comprises: receiving trajectory data of anevent within video image data; generating a lossless compressedcontour-coded blob to encode the trajectory data of the event withinvideo image data; and generating a lossy searchable code to enablesearching of a relational database based on the trajectory data of theevent within the video image data.

In a second embodiment, there is a system for providing a coding schemefor identifying a spatial location of an event within video image data.In this embodiment, the system comprises at least one processing unit,and memory operably associated with the at least one processing unit. Aspatial representation tool is storable in memory and executable by theat least one processing unit. The spatial representation tool comprises:a compression component configured to receive trajectory data of anevent within video image data; generate a lossless compressedcontour-coded blob to encode the trajectory data of the event withinvideo image data; and generate a lossy searchable code to enablesearching of a relational database based on the trajectory data of theevent within the video image data.

In a third embodiment, there is a computer-readable medium storingcomputer instructions, which when executed, enables a computer system toprovide a coding scheme for identifying a spatial location of an eventwithin video image data, the computer instructions comprising: receivingtrajectory data of an event within video image data; generating alossless compressed contour-coded blob to encode the trajectory data ofthe event within video image data; and generating a lossy searchablecode to enable searching of a relational database based on thetrajectory data of the event within the video image data.

In a fourth embodiment, there is a method for deploying a spatialrepresentation tool for use in a computer system that provides a codingscheme for identifying a spatial location of an event within video imagedata. In this embodiment, a computer infrastructure is provided and isoperable to: receive trajectory data of an event within video imagedata; generate a lossless compressed contour-coded blob to encode thetrajectory data of the event within video image data; and generate alossy searchable code to enable searching of a relational database basedon the trajectory data of the event within the video image data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of an exemplary computing environment in whichelements of the present invention may operate;

FIG. 2 shows a spatial representation tool that operates in theenvironment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a system for searching within video image data according toembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows an approach for lossless contour coding generationaccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows an approach for lossy search code generation according toembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows an approach for identifying an event within the video imagedata according to embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a method for searching within the videoimage data according to embodiments of the invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merelyschematic representations, not intended to portray specific parametersof the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typicalembodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered aslimiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numberingrepresents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of this invention are directed to a coding scheme thatenables searching large numbers of surveillance camera events usingrelational database tables based on the location of an event within acamera field of view. In these embodiments, a spatial representationtool provides this capability. Specifically, the spatial representationtool comprises a compression component configured to receive trajectorydata of an event within video image data; generate a lossless compressedcontour-coded blob to encode the trajectory data of the event withinvideo image data; and generate a lossy searchable code to enablesearching of a relational database based on the trajectory data of theevent within the video image data.

FIG. 1 illustrates a computerized implementation 100 of the presentinvention. As depicted, implementation 100 includes computer system 104deployed within a computer infrastructure 102. This is intended todemonstrate, among other things, that the present invention could beimplemented within a network environment (e.g., the Internet, a widearea network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a virtual privatenetwork (VPN), etc.), or on a stand-alone computer system. In the caseof the former, communication throughout the network can occur via anycombination of various types of communications links. For example, thecommunication links can comprise addressable connections that mayutilize any combination of wired and/or wireless transmission methods.Where communications occur via the Internet, connectivity could beprovided by conventional TCP/IP sockets-based protocol, and an Internetservice provider could be used to establish connectivity to theInternet. Still yet, computer infrastructure 102 is intended todemonstrate that some or all of the components of implementation 100could be deployed, managed, serviced, etc., by a service provider whooffers to implement, deploy, and/or perform the functions of the presentinvention for others.

Computer system 104 is intended to represent any type of computer systemthat may be implemented in deploying/realizing the teachings recitedherein. In this particular example, computer system 104 represents anillustrative system for generating a coding scheme for identifying aspatial location of an event in video image data. It should beunderstood that any other computers implemented under the presentinvention may have different components/software, but will performsimilar functions. As shown, computer system 104 includes a processingunit 106 capable of analyzing sensor data, and producing a usableoutput, e.g., compressed video and video meta-data. Also shown is memory108 for storing a spatial representation tool 153, a bus 110, and deviceinterfaces 112.

Computer system 104 is shown communicating with a sensor device 122 thatcommunicates with bus 110 via device interfaces 112. Sensor device 122(or multiple sensor devices) includes sensor devices for capturing imagedata representing objects and visual attributes of moving objects (e.g.,people, cars, animals, products, etc.) within a camera view 119 fromsensor device 122, including trajectory data 121 and 123 (i.e., paths ofevents/objects within video image data 119). Sensor device 122 caninclude virtually any type of sensor capable of capturing visualattributes of objects, such as, but not limited to: optical sensors,infrared detectors, thermal cameras, still cameras, analog videocameras, digital video cameras, or any other similar device that cangenerate sensor data of sufficient quality to support the methods of theinvention as described herein.

Processing unit 106 collects and routes signals representing outputsfrom sensor devices 122 to spatial representation tool 153. The signalscan be transmitted over a LAN and/or a WAN (e.g., T1, T3, 56 kb, X.25),broadband connections (ISDN, Frame Relay, ATM), wireless links (802.11,Bluetooth, etc.), and so on. In some embodiments, the video signals maybe encrypted using, for example, trusted key-pair encryption. Differentsensor systems may transmit information using different communicationpathways, such as Ethernet or wireless networks, direct serial orparallel connections, USB, Firewire®, Bluetooth®, or other proprietaryinterfaces. (Firewire is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth Special Interest Group(SIG)). In some embodiments, sensor device 122 is capable of two-waycommunication, and thus can receive signals (to power up, to sound analert, etc.) from spatial representation tool 153.

In general, processing unit 106 executes computer program code, such asprogram code for operating spatial representation tool 153, which isstored in memory 108 and/or storage system 116. While executing computerprogram code, processing unit 106 can read and/or write data to/frommemory 108 and storage system 116 and a relational database 118.Relational database 118 stores sensor data, including video metadatagenerated by processing unit 106, as well as rules against which themetadata is compared to identify objects and trajectories of objectspresent within video image data 119. As will be further describedherein, relational database 118 stores trajectory data 117 as both alossy searchable code and lossless compressed contour-coded blob, aswell as information for efficient querying. It will be appreciated thatstorage system 116 and relational database 118 can include VCRs, DVRs,RAID arrays, USB hard drives, optical disk recorders, flash storagedevices, image analysis devices, general purpose computers, videoenhancement devices, de-interlacers, scalers, and/or other video or dataprocessing and storage elements for storing and/or processing video. Thevideo signals can be captured and stored in various analog and/ordigital formats, including, but not limited to, Nation Television SystemCommittee (NTSC), Phase Alternating Line (PAL), and Sequential Colorwith Memory (SECAM), uncompressed digital signals using DVI or HDMIconnections, and/or compressed digital signals based on a common codecformat (e.g., MPEG, MPEG2, MPEG4, or H.264).

FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view of spatial representation tool 153according to embodiments of the invention. As shown, spatialrepresentation tool 153 comprises a compression component 155 configuredto receive trajectory data 117 of an event within video image data 119(e.g., object and track data from sensor device 122). Compressioncomponent 155 processes trajectory data 117 from sensor device 122 inreal-time, identifying objects and trajectories of objects that aredetected in video image data 119. Compression component 155 provides thesoftware framework for hosting a wide range of video analytics toaccomplish this. The video analytics are intended to detect and trackobjects moving across a field of view and perform an analysis oftracking data associated with each object. The set of moving objects canbe detected using a number of approaches, including but not limited to:background modeling, object detection and tracking, spatial intensityfield gradient analysis, diamond search block-based (DSBB) gradientdescent motion estimation, or any other method for detecting andidentifying objects captured by a sensor device.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3, compression component 155 is configured toreceive trajectory data 117 of video image data 119 and generate alossless compressed contour-coded blob 134 to encode trajectory data 117of the event within video image data 119. Compression component 155 isalso configured to generate a lossy searchable code 134 to enablesearching of relational database 118 based on the trajectory data 117 ofthe event within the video image data 119.

Next, both lossy searchable code 132 and lossless compressedcontour-coded blob 134 are stored within relational database 118, alongwith the corresponding track ID, for subsequent retrieval. As shown inFIGS. 2-3, spatial representational tool 153 comprises a databasecomponent 160 configured to input lossless compressed contour-coded blob134, lossy searchable code 132, and a corresponding trajectoryidentifier (e.g., track ID) into relational database 118. In oneembodiment, database component 160 generates and uploads messages inextensible mark-up language (XML) to relational database 118 includingTrack ID, search code represented as a CHAR String, and contour codepackaged as a proprietary file with binary representation.

During operation, retrieval may occur when a user that is monitoringvideo image data 119 wishes to investigate an event (e.g., a person, asecurity breach, a criminal act, suspicious activity, etc.). As shown inFIGS. 2-3, spatial representation tool 153 comprises a search component165 configured to search relational database 118 to identify a spatiallocation of the event within video image data 119. Specifically, searchcomponent 165 is configured to specify a region of interest 140 (FIG. 3)within video image data 119. This selection may be performed by the usermonitoring video image data 119, e.g., via a pointing device (notshown). Search component 165 then converts region of interest 140 to alossy query code 136 and performs a database search of relationaldatabase 118. Specifically, search component 165 compares lossy querycode 136 to lossy searchable code 132 of trajectory data 117 of theevent within video image data 119. In one embodiment, each row ofrelational database 118 is evaluated using a ‘UDF→Function’ forperforming ‘BITWISE AND’ between lossy query code 136 and lossysearchable code 132 corresponding to each track in the table. All rowsthat intersect region of interest 140 are returned as part of the resultset to identify the spatial location of the event.

The result set is then typically returned to the user as a display 148(e.g., via a graphical user interface). To accomplish this, spatialrepresentation tool 153 comprises a display component 170 (FIG. 2)configured to decompress contour-coded blob 134 corresponding to lossyquery code 136 based on the comparison of lossy query code 136 to lossysearchable code 132 of trajectory data 117 of the event within videoimage data 119. Contour-coded blob 134 is converted back to the originalversion of trajectory data 117 and displayed on display 148. Displaycomponent 170 plots a trajectory (147, 149) of the event within videoimage data 119 to identify the spatial location of the event.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, a coding scheme for identifying a spatiallocation of an event within video image data 119 will be described infurther detail. As mentioned above, compression component 155 (FIG. 2)is configured to generate a lossy searchable code 132 of trajectory data117 of the event within video image data 119, and a lossless compressedcontour-coded blob 134 of trajectory data 117 of the event within videoimage data 119. As shown in FIG. 4, in the first case, compressioncomponent 150 is configured to receive trajectory data 117 of event “X”(e.g., a person, a security breach, a criminal act, suspicious activity,etc.) within video image data 119, and generate a contour-coded blob 134from lossless contour code 131 (FIG. 3) to encode trajectory 121 ofevent “X”. To accomplish this, compression component 155 is configuredto divide video image data 119 into a plurality of pixel regions 23A,23B, 23C . . . 23N, determine whether each of plurality of pixel regions23A-23N contains trajectory data 117. That is, each pixel is analyzed todetermine if trajectory 121 intersects the pixel. If yes, a ‘1’ isentered into 36 bit contour-coded blob 134. If trajectory 121 does notintersect the pixel, ‘0’ is entered. This process is repeated untilcontour-coded blob 134 is complete and is entered into relationaldatabase 118.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, a lossy searchable code 132 of trajectory data117 of the event within video image data 119 is generated. To accomplishthis, compression component 155 is configured to divide video image data119 into a second plurality of pixel regions 25A, 25B, 25C . . . 25N. Asshown, second plurality of pixel regions 25A-25N comprises less pixelregions than plurality of pixel regions 23A-23N for contour coded blob134. In this case, the 6×6 representation of video image data 119 isquantized into a 3×3 image, thus generating 9 bit lossy searchable code132. Once again, to encode trajectory data 117, it is determined whethereach of second plurality of pixel regions 25A-25N contains trajectorydata 117. That is, each pixel is analyzed to determine if trajectory 121intersects the pixel. If trajectory 121 intersects, a ‘1’ is entered toform 9 bit lossy searchable code 132. If trajectory 121 does notintersect the pixel, a ‘0’ is entered. This process is repeated untillossy searchable code 132 is formed, and lossy searchable code 132 isthen entered into relational database 118 to enable subsequent searchingbased on trajectory data 117 of event “X” within video image data 119.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, trajectory data 117 of trajectory 121 is moreprecisely analyzed. In this embodiment, video image data 119 is analyzedusing an 8-point neighborhood scan 180 to generate the transition chaincode. As shown, event “X” starts at point (0,1), and the direction oftrajectory 121 is plotted according to 8-point neighborhood scan 180.This embodiment allows increased specificity over the 6×6 image shown inFIG. 4. Rather than simply identifying whether trajectory 121 is presentwithin each pixel, 8-point neighborhood scan provides information on adirection of trajectory 121 within each pixel. It will be appreciatedthat the precision may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing thenumber of points in the neighborhood scan.

It can be appreciated that the methodologies disclosed herein can beused within a computer system to identify a spatial location of an eventwithin video image data, as shown in FIG. 1. In this case, spatialrepresentation tool 153 can be provided, and one or more systems forperforming the processes described in the invention can be obtained anddeployed to computer infrastructure 102. To this extent, the deploymentcan comprise one or more of (1) installing program code on a computingdevice, such as a computer system, from a computer-readable medium; (2)adding one or more computing devices to the infrastructure; and (3)incorporating and/or modifying one or more existing systems of theinfrastructure to enable the infrastructure to perform the processactions of the invention.

The exemplary computer system 104 may be described in the generalcontext of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules,being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules includeroutines, programs, people, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implements particular abstract datatypes. Exemplary computer system 104 may be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

The program modules carry out the methodologies disclosed herein, asshown in FIG. 7. According to one embodiment for generating a codingscheme, at 202, trajectory data of an event within video image data isreceived. At 204, a lossy searchable code of the trajectory data of theevent within the video image is generated. At 204B, a losslesscompressed contour-coded blob of the trajectory data of the event withinthe video image data is generated. At 206, lossless compressedcontour-coded blob and the lossy searchable code are entered into therelational database.

The flowchart of FIG. 7 illustrates the architecture, functionality, andoperation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computerprogram products according to various embodiments of the presentinvention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart may represent amodule, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or moreexecutable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently. It will also benoted that each block of flowchart illustration can be implemented byspecial purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

Furthermore, an implementation of exemplary computer system 104 (FIG. 1)may be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readablemedia. Computer readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, computerreadable media may comprise “computer storage media” and “communicationsmedia.”

“Computer storage media” include volatile and non-volatile, removableand non-removable media implemented in any method or technology forstorage of information such as computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage mediaincludes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by acomputer.

“Communication media” typically embodies computer readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal, such as carrier wave or other transport mechanism. Communicationmedia also includes any information delivery media.

The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more ofits characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above arealso included within the scope of computer readable media.

It is apparent that there has been provided with this invention anapproach for identifying a spatial location of an event within videoimage data. While the invention has been particularly shown anddescribed in conjunction with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will beappreciated that variations and modifications will occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes thatfall within the true spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for generating a coding scheme foridentifying a spatial location of an event within video image datacomprising: receiving trajectory data of a trajectory of an object foran event within video image data; generating a lossless compressedcontour-coded blob to encode the trajectory data of the trajectory of anobject for the event within the video image data; generating a lossysearchable code of the trajectory data of the trajectory of the objectfor the event within the region of interest to enable searching of arelational database based on the trajectory data of the trajectory ofthe object for the event within the video image data; specifying, via auser input, a region of interest corresponding to a subsection of avisual display output of the video image data; converting the region ofinterest within the video image data to a lossy query code; andcomparing the lossy query code to the lossy searchable code within therelational database to identify the corresponding lossless trajectorydata of the trajectory of the object for the event within the videoimage data.
 2. The method according to claim 1, the generating thelossless compressed contour-coded blob comprising: dividing the videoimage data into a plurality of pixel regions; and determining whethereach of the plurality of pixel regions contains trajectory data of thetrajectory of the object for the event within the video image data. 3.The method according to claim 2, the generating the lossy searchablecode comprising: dividing the video image data into a second pluralityof pixel regions, the second plurality of pixel regions comprising lesspixel regions than the plurality of pixel regions for the losslesscompressed contour-coded blob; and determining whether each of thesecond plurality of pixel regions contains trajectory data of thetrajectory of the object for the event within the video image data. 4.The method according to claim 1, further comprising inputting thelossless compressed contour-coded blob, the lossy searchable code, and atrajectory identifier into the relational database.
 5. A system forgenerating a coding scheme for identifying a spatial location of anevent within video image data comprising: at least one processing unit;memory operably associated with the at least one processing unit; and aspatial representation tool storable in memory and executable by the atleast one processing unit, the spatial representation tool comprising acompression component configured to: receive trajectory data of atrajectory of an object for an event within video image data; generate alossless compressed contour-coded blob to encode the trajectory data ofthe trajectory of the object for the event within video image data;generate a lossy searchable code to enable searching of a relationaldatabase based on the trajectory data of the trajectory of the objectfor the event within the video image data; specify, via a user input, aregion of interest corresponding to a sub-section of a visual displayoutput of the video image data; convert the region of interest withinthe video image data to a lossy query code; and compare the lossy querycode to the lossy searchable code within the relational database toidentify the corresponding lossless trajectory data of the trajectory ofthe object for the event within the video image data.
 6. The spatialrepresentation tool according to claim 5, the compression componentfurther configured to: divide the video image data into a plurality ofpixel regions; and determine whether each of the plurality of pixelregions contains trajectory data of the trajectory of the object for theevent within the video image data.
 7. The spatial representation toolaccording to claim 6, the compression component further configured to:divide the video image data into a second plurality of pixel regions,the second plurality of pixel regions comprising less pixel regions thanthe plurality of pixel regions for the lossless compressed contour-codedblob; and determine whether each of the second plurality of pixelregions contains trajectory data of the trajectory of the object for theevent within the video image data.
 8. The spatial representation toolaccording to claim 5, further comprising an input component configuredto input the lossless compressed contour-coded blob, the lossysearchable code, and a trajectory identifier into the relationaldatabase.
 9. A computer-readable storage-device storing computerinstructions, which when executed, enables a computer system to generatea coding scheme for identifying a spatial location of an event withinvideo image data, the computer instructions comprising: receivingtrajectory data of a trajectory of an object for an event within videoimage data; generating a lossless compressed contour-coded blob toencode the trajectory data of the trajectory of the object for the eventwithin video image data; generating a lossy searchable code to enablesearching of a relational database based on the trajectory data of thetrajectory of the object for the event within the video image data;specifying, via a user input, a region of interest corresponding to asubsection of a visual display output of the video image data;converting the region of interest within the video image data to a lossyquery code; and comparing the lossy query code to the lossy searchablecode within the relational database to identify the correspondinglossless trajectory data of the trajectory of the object for the eventwithin the video image data.
 10. The computer-readable storage-deviceaccording to claim 9, the computer instructions for generating thelossless compressed contour-coded blob further comprising: dividing thevideo image data into a plurality of pixel regions; and determiningwhether each of the plurality of pixel regions contains trajectory dataof the trajectory of the object for the event within the video imagedata.
 11. The computer-readable storage-device according to claim 10,the computer instructions for generating the lossy searchable codefurther comprising: dividing the video image data into a secondplurality of pixel regions, the second plurality of pixel regionscomprising less pixel regions than the plurality of pixel regions forthe lossless compressed contour-coded blob; and determining whether eachof the second plurality of pixel regions contains trajectory data of thetrajectory of the object for the event within the video image data. 12.The computer-readable storage-device according to claim 9 furthercomprising computer instructions for inputting the lossless compressedcontour-coded blob, the lossy searchable code, and a trajectoryidentifier into the relational database.
 13. A method for deploying aspatial representation tool for use in a computer system that generatesa coding scheme for identifying a spatial location of an event withinvideo image data, the method comprising: providing a computerinfrastructure operable to: receive trajectory data of a trajectory ofan object for an event within video image data; generate a losslesscompressed contour-coded blob to encode the trajectory data of thetrajectory of the object for the event within video image data; generatea lossy searchable code to enable searching of a relational databasebased on the trajectory data of the trajectory of the object for theevent within the video image data; specify, via a user input, a regionof interest corresponding to a subsection of a visual display output ofthe video image data; convert the region of interest within the videoimage data to a lossy query code; and compare the lossy query code tothe lossy searchable code within the relational database to identify thecorresponding lossless trajectory data of the trajectory of the objectfor the event within the video image data.
 14. The method according toclaim 13, the computer infrastructure operable to generate the losslesscompressed contour-coded blob further operable to: divide the videoimage data into a plurality of pixel regions; and determine whether eachof the plurality of pixel regions contains trajectory data of thetrajectory of the object for the event within the video image data. 15.The method according to claim 14, the computer infrastructure operableto generate the lossy searchable code further operable to: divide thevideo image data into a second plurality of pixel regions, the secondplurality of pixel regions comprising less pixel regions than theplurality of pixel regions for the lossless compressed contour-codedblob; and determine whether each of the second plurality of pixelregions contains trajectory data of the trajectory of the object for theevent within the video image data.
 16. The method according to claim 13,the computer infrastructure further operable to input the losslesscompressed contour-coded blob, the lossy searchable code, and atrajectory identifier into the relational database.